JoJo Henderson
Ms. Gay
ENGL 1301.22
20 Oct. 2015
Textual Rhetorical Analysis: “Goodell Defends Redskins’ Name” In the last seventy-five years there have been effortless attempts by protesters to rid the Washington football organization of the “Redskins” nickname. In 2013, protesters were assisted by ten U.S. Congress members in the effort to strip the organization of their beloved mascot. These congress members wrote a letter filled with their concerns to Roger Goodell (NFL Commissioner) along with Dan Snyder (Washington Redskins Franchise Owner) and also to every NFL organization in the league. Roger Goodell wrote back to these ten congress members in support of the Redskin organization a week later. In Goodell’s response letter he gave …show more content…
Roger Goodell has a great amount of credibility simply because he is the Commissioner of the National Football League. An example from Goodell’s response letter of his credibility is when he states, “The team’s millions of fans and customers who represent one of America’s most ethnically and geographically diverse fan bases, believe this mascot has a much deeper meaning than what many perceive the term to be.” Goodell is an unbiased commissioner of the National Football League and though there is no given evidence that the Redskins have in fact the most ethnically and geographically diverse fan base, Goodell is so credible that these statements often go unquestioned. Another example of ethos in Goodell’s response is when Goodell said, “The National Football League takes seriously its responsibility to exemplify the values of diversity and inclusion that make our nation great. To that end, assume that we are committed to working with the team, this Caucus and others to continue to reinforce the many positive attributes represented by the team’s name and marks.” Goodell is the face of the National Football League and when he directly speaks on the League’s behalf his credibility renders other’s opinions about the league …show more content…
Goodell uses a large amount of logos in his response letter to persuade the congress members. An example from Goodell’s letter is when Roger stated that, “The most recent detailed survey of Native Americans, conducted by the independent and highly respected Annenberg Public Policy Center, found that fewer than 10% considered the name objectionable. Among the general public, an Associated Press survey conducted just two months ago found that only 11% felt it should be changed.” Both of these survey results are facts; therefore, there is no room for dispute from the congress members. Another example of logos is when Goodell said, “Public opinion aside, the Washington Redskins name has been confirmed in a legal context. When the matter was considered by the D.C. federal district court, the judge ruled against the plaintiffs and recognized that the name has been used by the team in a respectful manner.” Here Goodell is stating the fact that this issue has been brought to a large scale court and the court ruled in favor of the Redskin organization. This cannot be argued by the congress for it is the truth. Within Goodell’s response letter, he uses more than ethos and logos to persuade his audience. Goodell uses a fallacy within his main argument. A fallacy is an unsound belief or argument, a misconception. In Goodell’s main argument he uses a fallacy that is easily recognized and controversial to most readers. Goodell’s
Ms. Gay
ENGL 1301.22
20 Oct. 2015
Textual Rhetorical Analysis: “Goodell Defends Redskins’ Name” In the last seventy-five years there have been effortless attempts by protesters to rid the Washington football organization of the “Redskins” nickname. In 2013, protesters were assisted by ten U.S. Congress members in the effort to strip the organization of their beloved mascot. These congress members wrote a letter filled with their concerns to Roger Goodell (NFL Commissioner) along with Dan Snyder (Washington Redskins Franchise Owner) and also to every NFL organization in the league. Roger Goodell wrote back to these ten congress members in support of the Redskin organization a week later. In Goodell’s response letter he gave …show more content…
Roger Goodell has a great amount of credibility simply because he is the Commissioner of the National Football League. An example from Goodell’s response letter of his credibility is when he states, “The team’s millions of fans and customers who represent one of America’s most ethnically and geographically diverse fan bases, believe this mascot has a much deeper meaning than what many perceive the term to be.” Goodell is an unbiased commissioner of the National Football League and though there is no given evidence that the Redskins have in fact the most ethnically and geographically diverse fan base, Goodell is so credible that these statements often go unquestioned. Another example of ethos in Goodell’s response is when Goodell said, “The National Football League takes seriously its responsibility to exemplify the values of diversity and inclusion that make our nation great. To that end, assume that we are committed to working with the team, this Caucus and others to continue to reinforce the many positive attributes represented by the team’s name and marks.” Goodell is the face of the National Football League and when he directly speaks on the League’s behalf his credibility renders other’s opinions about the league …show more content…
Goodell uses a large amount of logos in his response letter to persuade the congress members. An example from Goodell’s letter is when Roger stated that, “The most recent detailed survey of Native Americans, conducted by the independent and highly respected Annenberg Public Policy Center, found that fewer than 10% considered the name objectionable. Among the general public, an Associated Press survey conducted just two months ago found that only 11% felt it should be changed.” Both of these survey results are facts; therefore, there is no room for dispute from the congress members. Another example of logos is when Goodell said, “Public opinion aside, the Washington Redskins name has been confirmed in a legal context. When the matter was considered by the D.C. federal district court, the judge ruled against the plaintiffs and recognized that the name has been used by the team in a respectful manner.” Here Goodell is stating the fact that this issue has been brought to a large scale court and the court ruled in favor of the Redskin organization. This cannot be argued by the congress for it is the truth. Within Goodell’s response letter, he uses more than ethos and logos to persuade his audience. Goodell uses a fallacy within his main argument. A fallacy is an unsound belief or argument, a misconception. In Goodell’s main argument he uses a fallacy that is easily recognized and controversial to most readers. Goodell’s